To mark World Mental Health Day, Dawn Bowden, Welsh minister for children and social care, has released a statement to reveal the results of the Have Your Say: Social care workers’ survey.

The survey was completed by eight per cent of the workforce compared with around six per cent last year.

Bowden said: "This survey provides a unique opportunity for the social care workforce to give their views on a range of issues which affect them and helps shape how we address what matters most to them."

She added: "Once again, the results highlight the outstanding commitment of our social care workforce, and the incredible role they play in providing services in Wales. Although we have seen some improvements compared to last year, there is still much more to do to ensure the workforce feels valued and has the best possible support available."

The survey found that terms and conditions continue to be a priority for the sector.

Bowden said: "We established the Social Care Fair Work Forum as a tripartite social partnership group, committed to embedding Fair Work and improving terms and conditions for social care workers in Wales. Initially the Forum focussed its efforts on improvements to pay.

"It provided advice on how to take forward the Programme for Government commitment to pay the Real Living Wage to social care workers in Wales, which is now in its third financial year of delivery. The Forum is now focusing on developing and delivering a voluntary Pay and Progression framework that works for the sector.  This framework will support providers to offer consistent pay, with clear progression and development opportunities to their workers as they wholly deserve."

The Forum and Welsh government are also liaising closely with the UK Government over their plan to introduce Fair Pay Agreements in Adult Social Care.

Workloads and staffing also continue to be a key area of focus.

Bowden added: "Recruitment and retention of staff is a priority, and all our work programmes aim to target challenges in the sector.  It is always inspiring to hear about some of the innovative approaches to recruitment and retention being taken across Wales. We will continue to explore with the sector how we translate and scale innovative practice, whilst working within the constraints of the continued financial pressures. Exploring alternative ways to make roles within the sector more appealing by creating clear pathways for progression is crucial. Social care can be a career for life."